High tension separator



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HIGH TENSION sEPARAToR Original Filed Jan. 7, 1964 v 9 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR JAMES HALL CARPENTER ATTORNEYS Feb. 27, 1,968

Original Filed Jan. 7, 1964 9 Sheets-Sheet S R Y R m E w N .l R w N d@ mm Mm M 5, c w Q mmf L w i .M l A E .d m 5, 5 J ,4W/ Y B NQ lllv.; Il 1L| r|J f MQ in a: L J IW l .IIJ// l I I l I l I I I I I I IVJVIII INQV hNm ,/ww Nm mw ,/nm E mm m w uw ATTORNEYS Feb. 27, 1968 J. H. CARPENTER iHIGH TENSION SEPARATOR Original Filed Jan. 7, 1964 9 Sheets- FIG. 4.

Feb. 27, 1968 J. H. CARPENTER 3,370,703

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Feb. 27, 196s J H CARPENTER 3,370,703

HIGH TENS ION SEPARATOR ,9 Sheets-Sheet u Original Filed Jan. '7, 1964INVENTOR Feb. 27, 1968 J. H. CARPENTER HIGH TENSION SEPARATOR OriginalFled Jan. 7, 1964 9 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR JA MES HALL GARPE/VTER BY rwww

J. H. CARPENTER HIGH TENS ION SEPARATOR l 9 sheets-sheet Feb. 27, -1968Original Filed Jan. 7, 1964 INVENTOR JAMES HALL CARPENTER Feb. 27, 19681 H. CARPENTER 3,370,703

HIGH TENSION SEPARATOR Original Filed Jan. 7, 1964 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 FIG.I4

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TV-U M m/K@ BY 'QW/ f i ATTORNEYS JA MES HALL CAI'PNTL-'IYr UnitedStates Patent Otice 3,370,703 atented Feb. 27, 196s 3,370,703 HIGHTENSION SEPARATOR .I ames H. Carpenter, Jacksonville, Fla., assignor toCarpco Research & Engineering, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., a corporationof Florida Continuation of application Ser. No. 336,259, Jan. 7, 1964.

This application Dec. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 517,885 19 Claims. (Cl.209-127) This is a continuation of my prior application entitled HighTension Separator, Ser. No. 336,289, tiled Jan. 7, 1964, now abandoned,which in turn is a continuationin-part of my still earlier applicationentitled High Tension Separator, Ser. No. 220,657, filed Aug. 31, 1962,now abandoned.

This invention relates to an improved construction for high tensionseparators.

Heretofore available high tension separators have been characterized bya variety of disadvantages. A serious problem which has confronted theart has been the delay and production loss occasioned by the extensivedisassembly which has been necessary to accomplish repair or'replacementof the rotor and its attendant components. Other disadvantages haveincluded ineiiective removal of pinned particles and dust from the rotorthereby causing excessive rotor Wear; the building up of conductiveparticles on insulators, bearing members and the like; short bearinglife due to lubricant breakdown resulting from the electrical groundingof the rotor through the bearing; excessive wear due to the abrasiveaction of the material to be separated; insuiiicient control of the rateof feed of material to be separated; and failure to stop the iiow ofsuch material to the rotor upon failure of the supply of electricity tothe high voltage electrode.

To overcome the disadvantages of the prior art it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a high tension separator having a greatlyimproved construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a high tension separatorhaving an easily removable rotor assembly.

Other objects include the provision of a high tension separator whereinthe rotor is grounded without passing current through the bearing, dustand pinned particles are effectively removed from the rotor surface,wear of the separator isminirnized, the building up of conductiveparticles in the separator is reduced, the flow of material to beseparated to the rotor is closely controlled and automatically shut offin response to failure of the supply of electricity to the high voltageelectrode.

Broadly this invention is directed to improvements in a high tensionseparator comprising ahousing, a grounded rotor mounted for rotation insaid housing, means to deposit particles to be separated on the surfaceof said rotor, and a high voltage electrode mounted in said housing .incooperative relation with said rotor to cause separation of theparticles on the rotor.

One aspect of this invention as disclosed in my application Ser. No.220,657 is directed to a high tension separator comprising a housinghaving an opening in one side thereof; a rotor assembly including asupporting frame, a pair of spaced bearings connected to said frame, agrounded rotor mounted for rotation in saidbearings, and electricallyoperated means to remove pinned particles from said rotor, said meansbeing carried by said frame and including a first terminal; meansmounted in said housing in cooperative relation with said supportingframe to movably support said rotor assembly, said rotor assembly beingremovable as an assembled unit from `said housing through said opening;a second terminal mounted for connection to a source of electricity andhaving a releasable connection to said first terminal when said rotorassembly is in operative position in said housing; means to depositparticles to be separated on the surface of said rotor, and a highvoltage electrode mounted in said housing in cooperative relation withsaid rotor to cause separation of the particles` on the rotor. Thepresent application is directed to various improvements in high tensionseparators generally as well as improvements in the high tensionseparator of my earlier applications.

The invention having been generally described a preferred specificembodiment will now be set forth in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation partially broken away of a high tensionseparator according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view partially in section taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation partially broken away of the apparatus ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical section to an enlarged scale takenthrough one of the separator units;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section along the line 6 6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of the rotor assembly removed from thehousing;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the releasableelectrical connection between the alternating current wiper and itssource of supply;

FIGURE 9 is a detail of the actuating mechanism for the gate whichcontrols the ow of material to be separated tothe rotor;

FIGURE l0 is a vertical section taken along the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an auxiliary section taken along the line 11-11 of FIGURE9;

FIGURE 12 is a detail partially in section of the arrangement forgrounding the rotor;

FIGURE 13 is a vertical section of the rotor assembly showing amodification of the brush mounting means;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary top View of the brush of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary top plan View partially in section of amodiiication of the bus bar and conductor connection in closed positionwith the open position shown in phantom; and

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modification of thedriving means.

Illustrated in FIGURE 1 is a modular high tension separator whichcomprises a housing designated generally by the reference numeral 11.'Situated within the housing is a -plurality of individual high tensionseparator units 12. The units 12 are each enclosed in a separatecompartment with a wall 1G situated between adjoining units to preventsubstantial contamination of the atmosphere of each unit by that of theother units. The separating zone in each unit is totally enclosed.Desirably an exhaust fan is provided to maintain a slight negativepressure in each of the units and to air sweep the units to preventbuild-up of dust on the components, particularly the electricalconductors.

The material to be separated, such as iron ore in particulate form, isfed through a plurality of inlet pipes 13 into a pair of compartments 14in the upper portion of the housing which is also totally enclosed so asto require a minimum of effort by the exhaust fan to maintain thenegative pressure. The compartments 14 are provided with a floor plate15 (FIGURE 4) having an opening 16 in communication with each of thehigh tension separator units 12 which are identical. Thus, only one ofthe separator units 12 will be described in detail.

Each of the units 12 has a feed hopper 17 in communication with one ofthe openings 16 and is filled with the 'b o material to be separatedthrough such opening. Desirably the compartments 14 are completelyfilled. Correspondiugly the hoppers 17 are also filled. Each of thehoppers has inclined lower walls 18 and 19 which extend downwardly todefine a narrow bottom outlet 21 through which the material isdischarged. The angle of inclination may vary but 45 has been foundsatisfactory. Because the hopper is full, the movement of the materialthrough the hopper consists of vertical ow in a relatively narrow pathfrom the opening 16 to the discharge opening 21.

From the discharge outlet 21 the material is dropped onto an inclinedfeed plate 22 which is bolted or otherwise attached to a bracket 23which in turn is securely fastened to a mounting plate 35. The materialslides along the feed plate 22f and then 4over a raised extension plateor feed lip 24 which is connected to the lower end of the plate 22 andis held spaced thereabove by a continuous spacer 25. The material movesdownwardly along the feed lip 24 and is deposited on a rotor 26.Attached to the feed lip 24 is a steel static shield 27 by means of aplurality of intermittent thin spacers 28 which allow the material toflow therebetween. Static shield 27 prevents charged particles frombuilding up on feed plate 22 and feed lip 24 andtalso prevents bouncingof the particles as they leave the feed lip 24. The plates 22 and 24 areinclined from the horizontal at an angle which may be 45. The flow ofmaterial along the plates 22 and 24 to the rotor is controlled by a feedgate 31 which includes an angle 32 to one leg of which is attached avalve plate 33 which may be moved into and` out of the flowing materialto control the rate of flow or stop it altogether. Preferably valveplate 33 is bolted to angle 32 and has oversized holes to permitadjustment to permit equal feed across the entire length of feed plate22. The angle 32 is welded or otherwise fixed to a shaft 34 which isjournalled between the pair of mounting plates 35 by means of bearings36 and is mounted to feed plate 22 by means of bearings 202 which mayprotrude through slots 200 in angle 32. With angle 32 being mounted tothe feed plate 22 as well as to the mounting plates 35, any sag in thefeed plate 22 will bring a corresponding sag in the angle 32 and hencethe desired spacing between the valve plate 33 and the feed plate 22will be maintained. A blocking strip 208 is welded or otherwise fixed tobearings 36 and 202 to partially block the liow of material leavinghopper 17 and thus maintain a constant angle of repose of the materialbetween the blocking strip 208 and feed plate 22.

Freely pivo'table on the shaft 34 outside of the mounting plate 35 is alever 37 (FIG. 9). Fixed to the extreme end of the shaft 34 outside ofthe lever 37 is a second lever 38. The outer end of the lever 37cooperates with a scale 39 having suitable indicia to indicate theposition of the feed gate. When the lever 37 is at the zero position itengages a stop 41. Movement of the lever 37 in the opposite direction islimited by an adjustable stop 42 which is threadably mounted in astandard 43. A micrometer 44 is provided to enable minute adjustment ofthe position of the adjustable stop 42, and hence the minute adjustmentof the feed. The micrometer 44 also allows a given rate of feed to bereproduced after the desired setting has once been found.

Movement of the lever 37 is transmitted first to the lever 38 and thento the shaft 34. The lever 3S has a ange 45 which extends across theedge of lever 37 .and threadably receives a set screw 46, the inner endof which engages the edge of the lever 37. The lever 38 is biased in adirection to close the feed gate by a tension spring 51 which isconnected between the upper end of the lever 38 andthe mounting plate35. Movement of the lever 3S by the spring 51 is transmitted to thelever 37 by the set screw 46. The lever 37 is moved in the oppositedirection against the force of the spring 51 by a pneumatic cylinder 52to which air lines 53 and 54 are connected to operate the cylinder. Thecylinder 52 is connected to a protrusion 58 on the lever 37 by means ofa spring clip 59.

When the cylinder 52 is actuated, the lever 37 is moved against theadjustable stop 42 to open the feed gate to the degree determined by theposition of the stop 42. When the cylinder 52 is deactivated the lever37 is pulled against the fixed stop 41 by the spring 51 to close thefeed gate. When the feed gate is again opened by actuation of the aircylinder it is automatically returned to the proper setting byengagement of the lever 37 with the preset stop 42. The lever 3S may beemployed independently of the lever 37 to open the feed gate 31 by meansof the manually operated handle 47 to permit the dumping of foreignparticles trapped in hopper 17.

The combination of the levers 37 and 38 permits zero adjustment of thefeed gate 31. When the lever 37 is against the stop 41 and indicatesZero on the scale 39, the set screw 46 may be adjusted to move the lever33 with respect to the lever 37 until the feed gate 31 is inserted intothe stream of material to be separated to the precise degree that flowis completely shut off.

The mounting plate 35 is adjustably connected to the vertical wall 71 ofthe housing 11 by means of a pair of eccentricr bushings 72. Thebushings 72 are bolted to the wall 71 by bolts 73. When the bolts areloosened, the bushings may be rotated to adjust the position of themounting plate 35 with respect to the wall 71. This ad justment enablesthe feed lip 24 to be precisely positioned with respect to the rotor 26.

As shown in FGURE 1 the air lines 53 and 54 are connected by conduits 55and 56 to a solenoid operated valve 57. The solenoid which controls theoperation of the valve 57 is electrically connected to the low voltageside of the transformer which supplies the high voltage DC electrode 62.Thus, when the supply of electricity to the high voltage electrode 62 isinterrupted, the solenoid is energized to operate the valve 57 to closethe feed gate 31.

The high voltage electrode 62 cooperates with the rotor 26 in theconventional manner to cause separation of particles on the rotor. Suchelectrode preferably is of the dual beam type with a tungsten wireemitter. The details of the separation and the techniques lby which itis accomplished are Well known to the art and will not be discussedhere. It suflices to state that cooperation of the electrode 62 and thegrounded rotor 26 results in separation of the particles in accordancewith their electrical characteristics. Specifically, the first group ofparticles will be thrown or repelled from the rotor. A second group ofparticles, or middlings, will be unaffected and simply will fall free bygravity from the rotor, A third group of particles will be pinned to therotor and carried around with it until they are removed as describedhereinafter. The electrode 62 is charged with a high voltage directcurrent through a hollow conductor 75 which is connected to the housingby an insulator- 76 as shown in FIGURE 4. The opposite end of theelectrode 62 is hung by a tube 74 and insulator 80. The magnitude of theDC voltage may vary but 40,000 volts or even more might be employed. TheDC voltage is applied to the conductor 75 by a horizontal conductor 77which extends laterally through a horizontal opening 78 in the rear Wallof the housing as best shown in FIGURE 5. Thus, an insulating air gap isleft between the conductor 75 and the wall of the opening 78. This gapprevents material build-up which could cause a power failure.

A removable generally U-shaped conductor section 79 connects the outerend of the horizontal conductor 77 with an elongated bus bar 81. The busbar 81 may be selectively connected or disconnected with any of the highvoltage electrodes in the various separator units by removal, as by afuze puller, or by replacement of the U-shaped section 79, or, as isshown in FIG. 15, the U- shaped section 79 may be provided with apivotable arm 204 whereby arm 204 may be swung away from the bus barthus disconnecting the individual unit without shutting off power to theother units. Accordingly, any of the separator units may be shut downfor repair or replacement of parts and the remaining units may continuein operation.

The bus bar 81 is hung from the housing by a plurality of insulators 82.The insulators 76, 80 and 82 preferably are formed of ceramic material.The bus bar 81 is connected by a conductor 60 to an industrial rectifier61 which in turn is connected to an appropriate source of electricity.Preferably the bus bar 81 and the conductors leading to the rectifier 61and the electrode 62 are formed of copper or other highly conductivetubing free of any surrounding insulating material. The bus bar systemis mounted outside of the dusty atmosphere of the separating zone and isenclosed within a compartment 83 having a hinged inspection door 84.

As shown in FIGURE 4, there is situated within each of the separatorunits 12 a removable rotor assembly 85. Such assembly includes asupporting frame which may comprise a rectangular box, two opposingwalls which are formed by channels 86 and 87 having inturned flanges.The other two walls of the supporting frame box are for-med by a pair ofchannels 88 and 89 having outturned flanges. Bolted or otherwiseconnected to the upper flanges of the channels 88 and 89 are a pair ofbearing housings 91 and 92 as shown in FIGURE 5. As shown in FIGURE 12,the bearing housing 91 contaings a bearing 93 in which one end of therotor shaft 94 is journalled. The other end of the rotor shaft isjournalled in a similar bearing in the housing 92. Each of thesebearings is provided with registered pins 206 (FIGURE 7) for positivelocation of the bearing on the channels 88 and 89. A dogpoint set screwin each bearing lits into an annular slot in the ends of the shaft 94.The bearings are preferably located completely outside of the housing 11and the bearing housings 91 and 92 are preferablyv sealed to render themdustproof. A dry felt seal 90 is situated around the shaft 94 and heldin position by a bolted connection. A gasket 100a is situated betweenthe main portion of the housing 91 and its end cover plate 98. Housing92 is similarly sealed.

The rotor shaft 94 is provided with means to ground it to the channel 88through a path passing outside of the bearing 93. Where grounding iseffected through the bearing there is a tendency to break down thelubricant and cause excessive bearing wear. Specifically the outer endof the shaft 94 which extends through the bearing 93 is provided with anaxial cylindrical bore 95. Slidably received in the bore 95 is acylindrical carbon brush 96 which is biased outwardly by a compressionspring 97 situated interiorly of the brush 96 in the bore 95. Thus, thebrush 96 is resiliently urged into firm contact with the end plate 98 ofthe bearing housing 91. The end plate is connected to the housing 91 bya plurality of screws 99 which as shown in FIGURE 7 extend into cornerbosses of the bearing housing. Thus, the cover plate 98 is grounded tothe housing 91 which in turn is grounded to the channel 88. The channel88 rests on cross members of the main framework ,of the housing 11, thuscompleting the grounding of the rotor.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the rotor assembly 85 also includes a pair ofsplitter plates 101 `and 102 which preferably comprise removable blades100 of hardened steel. The splitter plates are xed to shafts 103 and 104respectively. These shafts in turn are journalled be- Itween thechannels 88 and 89 in suitable bearings. Attached to the ends of the,shafts 103 and 10-4 outside of the channel 88 are one end of levers 105and 106 respectively (FIGURE 7). The opposite ends of each of the levers105 and 106 are connected to slides 107 and 108 which in turn areslidable along indicators 111 and 112 respectively and which containscales to permit minute adjustment of the splitter plates 101 and 102.

Also extending between the channels 88 and 89 and through openings 113and 114 therein is a line wire electrical conductor 115 (FIGURES 4 and8) which conductor functions as a high voltage, high frequencyalternating current wiper for the rotor. The air in the openings 113 and114 acts as an insulator, thus eliminating any need for insulatingmaterial upon which particles could build up. As is true with all theopenings in the separator the ne-gative pressure causes air to move inthrough openings 113 and 114, thus preventing dust from coming outtherethrough. yThe outer ends of the conductor 115 are connected toinsulators 116 (FIGURE 7) and 117 (FIGURE 8) which are mounted on Vtheoutside of channels 88 and 89 respectively to prevent buildup ofconductive particles. The insulator 116 and its connection to the wire115 are surrounded by an expanded metal cage 110 connected to thechannel 88 by clips 120. The insulator 117 carries a.

conductive spring metal terminal 118 which is electrically connected tothe conductor 115. The terminal 118 Slidably engages a bus bar 119 whichas shown in FIGURE 6 eX- tends longitudinally along the housing. The busbar 119 preferablyis composed of copper tubing with spaced insulatingsleeves 130 leaving therebetween fixed terminals 140 for contact withthe movable terminals 11-8. The bus bar 119 is connected to a suitablesource of high frequency, high voltage, alternating current. Thealternating current has a frequency preferably in the range from about300 to about 500 cycles per second. The voltage may vary but excellentresults have been achieved using 29,000 volts. This high frequencyalternating current voltage is imposed upon the fine wire conductor 115which is spaced a short distance away from the rotor 26 and extendslongitudinally of -such rotor. The high frequency alternating currentcrosses the gap to the rotor and neutralizes the charge ofpinnedparticles and dust on the surface of the rotor as they are movedpast the wire 115. In the past, low frequency alternating currentwipers, such as conventional cycle AC, have been employed to neutralizesuch particles. While such can be used, it hasbeen found that the highfrequency in the ran-ge from 300 to 500 cycles constitutes a markedimprovement over the use of a low frequency alternating current. Between90% and 100% of the particles and dust clinging to the rotor are removedby the present device.

As shown in FIGURE 4, any few particles which are not removed by thealternating current wiper are removed by a brush 121 which may have berbristles which are held in firm contact with the surface of the rotor.The brush 121, which is removable for easy maintenance, is connected bymeans of bolts or the like to an angle 122 which in turn is connected toa continuous metallic spring arm 123. The other en-d of the arm 123 isconnected to an angle 124 which is pivoted -between the channels 88 and89. Pivotal movement of the angle 124 is effected by a lever arm 125which is actuated by a threaded link 126 which may be moved verticallyby a handle 127. Accordingly, the pressure which is applied to the brush121 by the spring arm 123 is controlled by adjustment of the handle 127.A modilication of the brush is shown in FIG- URE 13. The brush 214 isconnected to an angle 216 which acts as a weight to urge the brush iniirm contact with the surface of the rotor. Angle 216 is mounted on oneend of an arm 218. The other end of arm 218 is connected to an angle 220which is pivoted between the channels 88 and 89. The arm 218 is of sucha len-gth that when the bristles of the brush wear out the remainder ofthe brush assembly will fall past the rotor surface without coming intocontact therewith. This prevents the brush assembly from scoring thesurface of the rotor. As may be seen in FIG- URE 14, the bristles of thebrush 214 may be mounted in clusters spaced so as to provide a series ofopenings 222 between the bristles to allow drainage of particles of thematerial being processed and prevent the abrading of the rotor surfaceby the building up of these particles.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the rotor 26 is rotated by a motor 161 which maybe electric and is mounted on a supporting table 162 attached to theoutside of the housing 11. The motor has a pulley 163 which is connectedby a belt 164 to a pulley 165 which is xed to the outer end of the rotorshaft 94. All of the motors 161 are mounted '.7 entirely outside of thehousing 12 thus leaving them free of the atmosphere within theseparating units. l

FIGURE 16 illustrates a modification of the driving means. A main driveshaft 224 driven by a motor (not shown) is mounted by a plurality ofright angle gear menibers 226 on ybracket 232 which in turn is mountedon housing 11 at one end of the rotors 26. A driving member 228 of acone-type clutch is mounted on the end of each gear 226 and the drivenmember 2311 of the cone-type clutch is mounted on the end of shaft 94 ofeach rotor 26. The individual rotors may be connected to or disconnectedfrom the main drive shaft while the drive shaft is turning by mere-lyurging the driving and driven 4members of the cone-type clutch intoengagement or out of engagementi As illustrated in FIGURE 3, the rotorassembly 85 may be removed as an assembled unit from the housing. Whenthe rotor assembly is in its operative position within the housing thechannels 33 and 89 are supported by horizontal members 131 and 132(FIGURE 5). The rotor assembly slides outwardly along the member 131which is engaged by the lower franges of the channels `S6 and 37. Duringthe passage outwardly of the rotor assembly the bottom of the channel 89is supported lby noses 133 `and 134 formed by the tops of inclined dustbaffles 135 and 136 which in turn are supported by vertical walls 137and 13S. The walls 137 and 133 divide the lower part of the housing intoa series of three vertical channels 141, 142 and 143 into which channelsthe three groups of separated particles `are directed as they pass thesplitter plates in the usual manner. A third inclined dust bafe 139 isremovably mounted in the channel 141 to permit inspection of thematerial in the lower portion of such channel. Specifically, the ldustbaffle 139 is supported at its ends by a pair of angles 144 which areconnected to the housing. The dust baffles 135, 136 and 139 effectivelyprevent dust from being blown back from the channels 141, 142 and 143-by eddy currents or the like.

The lower portion of the housing is supported as shown in FIGURE 3 in anopening in the floor 151 which acts as a support for the entireseparator. The inclined lower walls 152 and 153 of the housing protrudethrough such opening to permit the separated material to be depositedfrom each of the channels 141, 142 and 143 through outlets 154, 155 and156 respectively. Preferably the inclined walls 152 and 153 and the dustbatiles 135, 136 and 139 as well as all other transverse surfaces in theseparator unit on which t-he material being separated may collectcomprise dead beds. Such surfaces are inclined from the horizontal at auangle less than the angle of repose of the material. Thus wear of suchsurfaces is materially diminished. 1t has been found that an inclinationof 37 from the horizontal is satisfactory for the dead bed surfaces.

The front wall of each of the separator units 12 is closed by a slip-inclosure panel 171 which fits between the bearing housing 91 and the endoft he rotor. The panel 171 may be slotted to receive the rotor shaft94. 1f desired, releasable clips or the like may be employed to attachthe panel 171 in position. A hinged inspection door 172 is provided inthe closure panel 171 to permit visual observance of each of theseparator units. A similar slip-in closure panel 173 is provided toclose the opening in the rear wall of the housing 11. The panel 173 isalso provided with a hinged inspection door 174. The panel 173 iits:between the bearing housing 92 and the rotor andis slotted to receivethe shaft 94. Such panel may be attached by suitable releasable clips orthe like as required.

In operation, material such as iron ore to be separated is moved throughthe conduits 13 into the compartment 14 in the upper part of the housing11. The material is then passed through openings 16 into the hoppers 17of each of the separator units. The material then passes through theoutlet 21 onto the feed plate 2.2 where it travels downwardly over thefeed lip 24. The ow of material across the lip 24 is controlled by thefeed gate 31. The particles descend from the lip 24 onto the rotor 8 26which is rotated by the motor 161 (or by the drive shaft 224), As theparticles move past the electrode 62 they are separated according totheir characteristics in the conventional manner. The rst group ofparticles is thrown from the rotor 26 past the splitter plate 131 anddescends into the channel 143. A second group of middiing particlesfalls by gravity between the spliter plates 101 and 102 into the channel142. A third group of particles is pinned to the rotor and is carried onthe rotor surface past the splitter plate 192. The pinned particles aresubjected to the action of the high frequency alternat ing current wiperwhich neutralizes the particles and causes them to drop by gravity intothe channel 141. If any particles or dust remain on the rotor aftertreat ment by the high frequency AC wiper they are removed by the brush121 (or 214).

The main housing 11 is so constructed that if any component of the rotorassembly is damaged the entire rotor assembly may be easily removed asan assembled unit and quickly replaced by a duplicate assembly. Thus,the apparatus remains in operation during repair of replacement of thedefective component or components of the rotor assembly. Removal of therotor assembly is accomplished by sliding out the slip-in closure panels171 and 173 and removing the belt 164 (if the cone clutch is not used).Then the rotor assembly may be slid as a unit out of the opening in thehousing left by the removed closure panel 171. Such movement of therotor disconnects the spring metal terminal 118 from its correspondingfixed terminal on the bus bar 119 while leaving the wipers of theremaining units operable. The replacement rotor assembly is then slidinto the housing until the spring terminal 118 makes sliding contactwith its corresponding terminal on the bus bar 113. The closures 171 and173 are then replaced and the belt 164 is attached. The apparatus isthen ready for operation with the replaced rotor in use. If the conetypeclutch is used as the drive means the belt 164 is elimated and themovement of tne rotor out of and into the housing disconnects andconnects the clutch automatically while leaving the remaining endsoperable. It has been found that removal and replacement of the rotorassembly can be accomplished in less than ten minutes.

There has been illustrated and described what is considered a preferredspecific embodiment of the invention. It Will be understood however thatmany modifications may be made by persons skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention which is determined solely bythe appended claims.

l claim:

1. A high tension separator comprising a housing er1- closing aplurality of separator units and having an open- `ing in one side ofsaid housing for each of said units; a rotor assembly mounted in each ofsaid separator units; each of said rotor assemblies including asupporting frame, a pair of spaced bearings connected to said frame, arotor mounted for rotation in said bearings, and electrically operatedmeans to remove pinned particles from said rotor, said means beingcarried by said frame and including a rst terminal; a trackway mountedin said housing in cooperative relation with said supporting frame toguide and movably support said rotor assembly to permit said rotorassembly to be removable as an assembled unit from said housing throughthe associated opening; said trackway acting to support and guide saidassembly during removal; a plurality of second terminals mounted forconnection to a source of electricity and having respective releasableconnections to said irst ter* minals when said rotor assembly is inoperative position in said housing; means in each of said units todeposit particles to be separated on the surface of each of said rotors;a high voltage electrode mounted in said housing in each of said unitsin cooperative relation with a respective one of said rotors to causeseparation of the particles on the rotor; a bus bar mounted forconnection to a source of high Voltage electricity; and a plurality ofelecf asf/0,703

trical conductors connecting said bus bar-with respective ones of saidhigh voltage electrodes, each of said conductors including a generallyU-shaped removable s ection to permit selective disconnection of each ofsaid high voltage electrodes from said source of high voltageelectricity. t

2. A high tension separator according to claim 1 wherein a second busbar delines each of said second terminals, and each of said firstterminals comprises a conductive spring blade slidably contacting saidsecond bus bar at one of said second terminals when one said rotorassembly is in operative position in said housing.

3. In a high tension separator of the type having a housing, a rotormounted inside the housing and adapted to be rotated about a horizontalaxis, means above the rotor to deposit particles to be separated on thesurface of the rotor, an electrode mounted in the housing in cooperativerelation with the rotor to cause separation of the particles on therotor, a brush mounted adjacent to the rotor with its bristles incontact with the surface of the rotor for wiping patricles therefrom,and means beneath the rotor for separately collecting the separatedparticles, the improvement comprising: a weight connected to the brushfor urging the brush toward the rotor surface with a constant force; andan arm, one end of which is connected to the brush and the other end ofwhich is pivotally connected to a support, said arm being supportedsolely by the brush and the pivotal connection thereof to the supportand being of such a length that when the bristles of the brush Wear out,said arm, said weight and the remainder of the brush will fall past thesurface of the rotor without coming into contact therewith.

4. In a high tension separator of the type having a housing, a rotormounted inside the housing and adapted to be rotated about a horizontalaxis. means above the rotor to deposit particles to be separated on thesurface of the rotor, an electrode mounted in they housing incooperative relation with said rotor to cause separation of theparticles on the rotor, a brush mounted adjacent to the rotor with itsbristles in contact with the surface of the rotor for wiping particlestherefrom, and means beneath said rotor for separately collecting theseparated particles, the improvement comprising: a brush mounting meansincluding a spring arm one end of which is connected to the brush; asupport means connected to the other end of said arm and pivotallymounted vin the housing; a lever, one end of which is connected to saidsupport means; and a threaded link connected to the other end of saidlever and threaded in a supportmounted in said housing, whereby theturning of said support will pivot said pivotable support means andadjust the force with which said spring arm urges said brush against thesurface of the rotor. i

5. In a high tension separator comprising; a housing; a rotor mounted insaid housing and adapted to be rotated about a horizontal axis;particles depositing means positioned above said rotor to depositparticles to be separated on the surface of said rotor; a high voltageelectrode mounted in said housing in cooperative relation with saidrotor to cause separation of the particles on said rotor; and meanslbeneath said rotor for separately collecting the separated particles;the improvement wherein said particle depositing means includes asupport, an adjustable feed plate mounted on said support, an adjustablegate mounted on said support and adapted to cooperate with said feedplate to control the flow of the particles, a shaft connected to saidgate, bearing means independent of said support journalling said shaftand connected to said plate for ensuring that the special relationshipbetween said gate and said plate will remain constant for each adjustedposition of said gate, and gate activating means connected to said gateand being responsive to the interruption of iiow of electricity to saidhigh voltage electrode to close said gate.

6. The high tension separator of claim S wherein the gate activatingmeans comprises: an integral extension of said shaft extending from saidfeed gate; a rst lever connected to the end of said shaft extension; asecond lever journalled on said shaft extension and being movablebetween a fixed stop and an adjustable stop; a scale mounted between thefixed stop and the adjustable stop and adapted to cooperate with thesecond lever to indicate the position of the feed gate; means yieldablyurging said first lever into a position which closes said feed gate;means connected to said second lever to automatically pull said secondlever into contact with said adjustable stop; and engaging meansconnected to said rst lever for engaging said second lever.

7. .'Ihe high tension separator of claim 6 wherein a handle is connectedto said first lever for manually opening said gate; and said engagingmeans contacts only one side of said second lever whereby the gate maybe opened fully by said handle without moving said second lever.

8. The high tension separator of claim 6 wherein said engaging means isadjustable whereby the relationship between the amount of opening ofsaid gate and the position of said second lever on said scale may beadjusted.

9. The high tension separator of claim 5 wherein a feed lip is mountedon one end of said feed plate for directing the particles onto the rotorwhereby the adjustment of said feed plate will adjust the tween saidfeed lip and said rotor.

10. The high tension separator of claim 9 wherein a static shield ismounted above said feed lip and extends parallel thereto wherebyparticles on the feed plate are prevented from becoming charged and thebouncing of the particles leaving the feed lip is reduced. l

11. The high tension separator of claim 5 wherein a blocking means ismounted on said bearing means and eX- tends perpendicular to said feedplate to partially block the particles as the pass over said feed platewhereby a constant angle of repose of the particles is maintained onsaid feed plate between said -blocking means and said feedplate. y

12. A high tension separator comprising: a housing having an opening inone side thereof; a rotor assembly including a supporting frame, a pairof spaced bearings connected to said frame, a rotor mounted on a shaftjournalled for rotation in said bearings, means to electrically groundsaid shaft to said supporting frame through a conductive path passingoutside of said bearings, splitter plate means to divide separatedgroups of particles leaving said rotor, means to adjust said splitterplate means, and electrically operated means to remove pinned particlesfrom said rotor, said electrically operated means being carried by saidframe and including a first terminal; a trackway mounted in said housingin cooperative relation with said supporting frame to guide and movablysupport said rotor assembly to permit said rotor assembly to be removedas an assembled unit from said housing through said opening, saidtrackway acting to support and guide said assembly during removal; asecond terminal mounted for connection to a sour-ce of electricity andhaving a releasable connection to said first terminal when said rotorassembly is in operative position in said housing; a high voltageelectrode mounted in said housing in cooperative relation with saidrotor to cause the separation of particles deposited on the rotor; a busbar mounted for connection to a source of high voltage electricity; anelectrical conductor connecting said bus bar with said high voltageelectrode, said conductor including a removable section to permitselective disconnection of said high voltage electrode from said sourceof high voltage electricity; and means to deposit parti-cles to beseparated on the surface of said rotor including an adjustable gate tocontrol the flow of particles and means to actuate said gate, said gateactuating means being responsive to the interruption of flow ofelectricity to said high voltage electrode to close said gate.

spatial relation bef 13. A high tension separator according to claim 12wherein said gate is pivotable and said gate actuating means compriseslever means for pivoting said gate, a fluid operated cylinder to movesaid lever means, and solenoid means to cause said uid operated cylinderto close said gate in response to said interruption of flow.

14. A high tension separator according to claim 13 wherein adjustablemeans are provided to preset the degree of opening of said gate by saidgate actuating means.

15. A high tension separator as recited in claim 12 wherein saidsupporting frame comprises a pair of spaced parallel upright beamshaving upper flanges carrying said bearings, and said rotor extendstransversely between said beams.

16. A high tension separator according to claim 12 wherein saidgrounding means comprises an electrically conductive brush mounted in anaxial opening in one end of said shaft, resilient means biasing saidbrush outwardly, and a conductive housing connected to said supportingframe and surrounding the bearing at said one end of said shaft, andbearing housing having an end plate engaging said brush.

17. A high tension separator according to claim 12 wherein said means toremove pinned particles from said rotor comprises a wire extendinglongitudinally of said rotor and spaced from the surface thereof, saidwire being charged with alternating current at a frequency in the rangeof fromabout 300 to 500 cycles per second.

18. A high tension separator according to claim 12 wherein said splitterplate adjusting means comprises a shaft connected to and extending fromsaid splitter plate means, a lever connected at one end thereof to saidshaft, a slide connected to the other end of said lever, and a lixedcalibrated indicator having said slide moveably connected theretowhereby the position of the slide on the indicator shows the position ofthe splitter plate means.

19. A high tension separator comprising a housing enclosing a pluralityof separator units; a rotor assembly mounted in each of said separatorunits, each of said rotor assemblies including a supporting frame, apair of spaced bearings connected to said supporting frame, a rotormounted on a shaft journalled for rotation in said bearings, means toelectrically ground said shaft to said supporting frame through aconductivev path passing outside of said bearings, splitter plate meansto divide separated groups of particles leaving said rotor, and means toadjust said splitter plate means; means mounted in said housing incooperative relation with each said supporting frame to movably supporteach said rotor assembly, each said assembly being removable as anassembled unit :trom said housing through an associated opening therein;a high voltage electrode mounted in said housing in each of saidseparator units in cooperative relation with a respective one of saidrotors to cause the separation of particles deposited on the rotor; abus bar mounted for connection to a source of high voltage electricity;a plurality of electrical conductors connecting said bus bar Withrespective ones of said high voltage electrodes, each of said conductorsincluding a removable section to permit selective disconnection of eachof said high voltage electrodes from said source of high voltageelectricity; means in each of said separator units to deposit particlesto be separated on the surface of each of said rotors including anadjustable gate to control the flow of particles and means to actuatesaid gate, said gate actuating means being responsive to theinterruption of ow of electricity to said high voltage electrode toclose said gate; a main drive shaft mounted at one end of said rotors onsaid housing; a plurality of right angle gears mounted on said maindrive shaft with one gear adjacent to a respective one of said rotors; adriving member of a cone clutch mounted on each of said right anglegears; and a driven member of a cone clutch mounted on each of saidshafts mounting a rotor whereby an individual rotor assembly may beremoved from said separator and will automatically disengage itself fromsaid main drive shaft without disturbing the operation of the remainingrotors.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,224,719 2/1880 Osborne 209-129624,965 5./1899 Oester 209-386 735,713 8/1903 Crofoot 209-386 1,116,95111/1914 Sutton 209-128 X 1,192,982 8/1916 Bristol 339-22 X 1,415,8595/1922 Bates 210-396 X 1,438,860 12/1922 Rout 210-396 X 1,471,55910/1923 Knauf 103-111 2,213,510 9/1940 Wiegand 209-127 2,256,118 9/1941Kyropoulos 317-2 X 2,314,940 3/ 1943 Hewitt 209-127 2,517,408 8/1950Olcott 222-504 X l2,634,842 4/ 1953 Caylor 302-59 2,687,803 8 1954Johnson 209-127 2,691,923 10/1954 Huck 222-556 X 2,767,844 10/ 1956Carpenter 209-2311 2,814,002 11/1957 Nicholas 174-99 X 2,971,703 2/1961Rath 2709-219 X FOREIGN PATENTS 719,732 12/1954 Great Britian. 270,5944/ 1913 Germany. 501,591 1/1927 Germany.

HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner. FRANK w. LUTTER, Examiner.

R. HALPER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A HIGH TENSION SEPARATOR COMPRISING A HOUSING ENCLOSING A PLURALITYOF SEPARATOR UNITS AND HAVING AN OPENING IN ONE SIDE OF SAID HOUSING FOREACH OF SAID UNITS; A ROTOR ASSEMBLY MOUNTED IN EACH OF SAID GENERATORUNITS; EACH OF SAID ROTOR ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING A SUPPORTING FRAME, APAIR OF SPACED BEARINGS CONNECTED TO SAID FRAME, A ROTOR MOUNTED FORROTATION IN SAID BEARINGS, AND ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MEANS TO REMOVEPINNED PARTICLES FROM SAID ROTOR, SAID MEANS BEING CARRIED BY SAID FRAMEAND INCLUDING A FIRST TERMINAL; A TRACKWAY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING INCOOPERATIVE RELATION WITH SAID SUPPORTING FRAME TO GUIDE AND MOVABLYSUPPORT SAID ROTOR ASSEMBLY TO PERMIT SAID ROTOR ASSEMBLY TO BEREMOVABLE AS AN ASSEMBLED UNIT FROM SAID HOUSING THROUGH THE ASSOCIATEDOPENING; SAID TRACKWAY ACTING TO SUPPORT AND GUIDE SAID ASSEMBLY DURINGREMOVAL; A PLURALITY OF SECOND TERMINALS MOUNTED FOR CONNECTION TO ASOURCE OF ELECTRICITY AND HAVING RESPECTIVE RELEASABLE CONNECTIONS TOSAID FIRST TERMINALS WHEN SAID ROTOR ASSEMBLY IS IN OPERATIVE POSITIONIN SAID HOUSING; MEANS IN EACH OF SAID UNITS TO DEPOSIT PARTICLES TO BESEPARATED ON THE SURFACE OF EACH OF SAID ROTORS; A HIGH VOLTAGEELECTRODE MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING IN EACH OF SAID UNITS IN COOPERATIVERELATION WITH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID ROTOR TO CAUSE SEPARATION OF THEPARTICLES ON THE ROTOR; A BUS BAR MOUNTED FOR CONNECTION TO A SOURCE OFHIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY; AND A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORSCONNECTING SAID BUS BAR WITH RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID HIGH VOLTAGEELECTRODES, EACH OF SAID CONDUCTORS INCLUDING A GENERALLY U-SHAPEDREMOVABLE SECTION TO PERMIT SELECTIVE DISCONNECTION OF EACH OF SAID HIGHVOLTAGE ELECTRODES FROM SAID SOURCE OF HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY.